2 Chronicles 20:1-17 ▼

1 After this, the Moabites (of his father) and Ammonites (tribal), together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged).

2 Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), “A vast army is coming against you from Edom [Aram], from beyond the Sea (the Dead Sea); they are already in Hazazon-tamar (dividing the date-palm)” (that is, En-gedi (fount of the kid)).

3 Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD {YHWH}. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah (praised).

4 So the people of Judah (praised) gathered to seek the LORD {YHWH}, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) stood in the assembly of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) in the house of the LORD {YHWH} in front of the new courtyard

6 and said, “O LORD, God {YHWH Elohe} of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.

7 Our God {Elohenu}, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel (he wrestles with God) and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham (father of many) Your friend?

8 They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying,

9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—whether sword or judgment (the sword of judgment), plague or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’

10 And now, here are the men of Ammon (tribal), Moab (of his father), and Mount Seir (shaggy), whom You did not let Israel (he wrestles with God) invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage). So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.

11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance.

12 Our God {Elohenu}, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

13 Meanwhile all the men of Judah (praised), with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD {YHWH}.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD {Ruach YHWH} came upon Jahaziel (beheld of God) son of Zechariah (YHWH remembers), the son of Benaiah (YHWH has built up), the son of Jeiel (God sweeps away), the son of Mattaniah (gift of YHWH), a Levite from Asaph’s (gatherer) descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.

15 And he said, “Listen, all you⁺ people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace)! Listen, King Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged)! This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you⁺, but to God {Elohim}.

16 Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz (flower), and you⁺ will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel (taught by God).

17 You⁺ need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD {YHWH} on your⁺ behalf, O Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace). Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you⁺.’”